Tuner system and method for rifles

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a tuner system for use with a threaded muzzle end portion of a rifle barrel. The system has a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion. A muzzle component is included which has a second threaded wall portion for engaging with the first threaded wall portion and enabling adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel. The muzzle component also has a third threaded portion for threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end portion of the rifle. A damping component is included which is interposed between the tuning ring and the muzzle component, and at least partially circumscribes the muzzle end of the barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/179,658 filed on May 15, 2015. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to firearms such as rifles, and more particularly to a tuner used with a rifle, and still more particularly to a tuner used with, but not limited to, a Modern Sporting Rifle to significantly enhance accuracy of the rifle at any range. The improvements increase with range.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Proper vibration management (tuning) is critical in improving rifle precision and accuracy. Reductions of group size of over 50% are common when the proper vibration management, (tuning) is implemented. Harold Vaughn, in his 1998 book “Rifle Accuracy Facts”, explains that barrel vibration is one of the largest contributors to rifle inaccuracy.

The Browning Arms Company first commercialized a Tuning Systems with their BOSS® system in 1995. Although a major innovation in 1995,many advancements and understandings in firearm tuning technology have taken place since that time. In particular, the subsequently developed Rifle Accuracy Systems AR 15/10 MK III system has provided improvements in a number of areas, one of which is tuning sensitivity. The BOSS® system uses 20 threads per inch (TPI) or 1/20 inches per revolution, while the AR 15/10 MK III uses 56 TPI or 1/56 inches per revolution. The increased sensitivity to control axial motion of the tuning ring 14 is critical to optimum tuning. The BOSS® system Micro ring is graduated in 10 units or 36 degree steps. This translates to 0.005 inches of axial travel per unit compared with 0.0018 with the AR 15/10 MK III. Typically, the ideal sweet spot is found with as little as 0.0003 movement of the tuning ring. This makes it 2.8 times more difficult to find the “sweet spot” with the BOSS® system, the sweet spot being the precise axial location of the tuning ring that achieves the smallest groupings. Other tuning systems use thread pitches or detents that make it very difficult to find optimum sweet spots.

The ability to lock the tuning ring was also improved with the AR 15/10 MK III system: The BOSS® system uses a jam nut against a solid shoulder which makes precision adjustment difficult and provides no axial or torsional damping. Axial and torsional damping aids in tuner performance. The AR 15/10 MK III system has both axial and torsional loading and damping via its special O-ring. The O-ring is compressed against the muzzle brake (MB) shoulder which aids tuner performance and repeatability. The O-ring also aids in damping radial and longitudinal motion. The AR 15/10 MK III system muzzle brake is jammed tightly against the barrel tenon shoulder which improves overall system rigidity.

The Center of Gravity (CG) is another area where an improvement was provided with the AR 15/10 MK III system. The CG of the BOSS® system is way forward of the muzzle, whereas the AR 15/10 MK III system is designed to keep the CG over or near the muzzle for optimum tuning.

Still another area of improvement provided by the AR 15/10 MK III system is with muzzle brake Performance: The BOSS® system uses the same size exit hole in the front of the muzzle brake for all calibers whereas the AR 15/10 MK III system sizes the exit hole for the caliber chosen. This improves muzzle brake performance and accuracy.

The AR15 style, which is also commonly known as the “Modern Sporting Rifle” (“MSR”), is one of the most widely sold rifles in the history of firearms. Many of these rifles are sold, or retrofitted, with flash suppressors that screw on the end of the barrel. Typically, these rifles have short, lightweight barrels and other characteristics that prevent them from shooting small groups at significant distances (e.g., 100 meters or more). The Modern Sporting Rifle is very difficult to properly tune due to its short, lightweight barrel and the other characteristics of the rifle. Various types of errors, some of which are discussed below, all can affect the accuracy of the Modern Sporting Rifle.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a system that can be easily used with present day Modern Sporting Rifles that significantly enhances the accuracy of such rifles. It is also critically important that such a system does not require significant modifications to the rifle itself, and does not significantly add to its weight or otherwise detract in any way from its ease and enjoyment of use.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a tuner system for use with a threaded muzzle end portion of a rifle barrel. The system comprises a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion. A muzzle component is included which has a second threaded wall portion for engaging with the first threaded wall portion and enabling adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel. The muzzle component also has a third threaded portion for threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end portion of the rifle. A damping component is included which is interposed between the tuning ring and the muzzle component, and at least partially circumscribes the muzzle end of the barrel.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a tuner system for use with a threaded muzzle end portion of a rifle barrel. The system may comprise a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion and a first shoulder portion. A muzzle component has a second threaded wall portion for engaging with the first threaded wall portion and enabling adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel. The muzzle component further has a third threaded portion for threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end portion of the rifle. The muzzle component also has a second shoulder portion, and an elastomeric ring damping component is interposed between the first and second shoulder portions. The elastomeric ring damping component fully circumscribes the muzzle end of the barrel and assists in holding the tuning ring stationary during use of the rifle, as well as damping vibrations during firing of the rifle.

In still another aspect the present disclosure relates to a method for tuning a rifle to enhance accuracy of shot groups fired from the rifle, the rifle having a barrel with a threaded muzzle end. The method may comprise a plurality of operations including providing a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion, and threadably securing a second threaded wall portion of a muzzle component to the first threaded wall portion to enable adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel. A third threaded portion of the muzzle component may be used to threadably engage the threaded muzzle end of the barrel of the rifle. A damping component may be used which is disposed between the tuning ring and the muzzle component, and which at least partially circumscribes the muzzle end of the barrel, to assist in holding the tuning ring stationary during operation of the rifle and damping vibration of the barrel during firing of the rifle.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tuner component in accordance with one embodiment of the present system and method;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the tuner system showing a label which may be adhesively affixed to the barrel of the rifle during a tuning operation, and which further shows a marking on the tuning ring for assisting the user in adjusting the tuning ring during the tuning operation;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a sinusoidal waveform that shows how average group sizes of two shot groups from a rifle varies as the tuner system is tuned;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the nodal bending point is associated with aiming error and radial motion of the barrel during firing of a rifle;

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of bullet impact vectors which illustrates how group sizes vary during a tuning operation performed using the tuner system;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the axial location of the tuning ring relative to the barrel muzzle, and its mass, influence all the frequencies of the barrel system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tuner system of the present disclosure which the vented sections of the muzzle brake shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 have been removed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tuner system of the present disclosure where the muzzle component comprises a flash suppressor;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the tuner system of the present disclosure where the muzzle component includes a forwardly protruding threaded portion (i.e., threaded tenon) for enabling an external sound suppressor, flash suppressor or muzzle brake to be secured to the muzzle component of the system; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the tuner system of the present disclosure where the muzzle component includes a sound suppressor in series with the muzzle component of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

The rifle tuner system and method of the present disclosure was invented to provide a tuner system that will readily work on the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR), that is easy to tune, portable, and that can be installed on any rifles with existing threaded muzzles without requiring gunsmithing. The tuner system and method of the present disclosure requires no gunsmithing when used with barrels with existing threaded muzzles. The system and method of the present disclosure provides an extremely easy and convenient way to significantly improve the accuracy and precision of present day MSRs. The system and method of the present disclosure may also incorporate an optional muzzle brake to reduce the felt recoil and muzzle flip of a MSR.

The system and method of the present disclosure provides features (i.e., technology) that are also applicable for other rifles with threaded barrel tenons such as models of the Sturm, Ruger & Co. 10/22 rifle. Any rifle can benefit from the system and method of the present disclosure by simply adding a threaded tenon to the end of the barrel which enables the attachment of the a tuner component of the system and method thereto. The technical details described for the system and method of the present disclosure are equally applicable to virtually any Rifle Accuracy System (RAS) tuning system or any other barrel tuning system used with rifle barrels.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a tuner system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The tuner system 10 is configured to be used with a barrel having an externally threaded tenon at the muzzle end of the barrel to accept the tuner system 10. The threaded tenon can be of any diameter compatible with the caliber of the rifle and the size of the barrel. The tuner system 10 includes three main components: a muzzle component, for example a muzzle brake 12, a tuning ring 14 and a damping component 16.

The muzzle brake 12 preferably incorporates the best current technology in recoil reduction and noise control. The muzzle brake 12 should be concentric on the bore of the barrel and the bullet exit hole 12 a should also be concentric with the bore of the barrel. The diameter of the bullet exit hole 12 a is sized for the caliber of the bullet being used, and it is strongly preferred to have a minimum diameter of 0.020 inches larger than the bullet being used. A back end 18 (the end nearest the shooter) of the muzzle brake 12 has internal threads 20 and is threaded tightly onto the existing externally threaded barrel (not shown). The internal threads 20 are matched (i.e., TPI are matched) to the existing tenon threads on the rifle barrel. The back end 18 of the muzzle brake 12 is also externally threaded with a fine thread 22, for example a 32-56 TPI thread, to allow the tuning ring 14 to be threaded onto the muzzle brake 12 and to be rotatably adjustable relative thereto.

The muzzle brake 12 of the tuner system 10 also has a shoulder 24 formed on an exterior surface thereof, and a grove 26 formed in front of the externally fine treaded portion 22, to accept the damping component 16. The damping component 16 may be formed by an elastomeric ring or any other similar spring/damping device. The muzzle brake 12 size is deigned to be compatible with the diameter of the AR rifle barrel and similar rifle barrels. However, the system 10 can be configured with only minor dimensional modifications to be used with larger caliber rifle barrels. The system 10 can be configured with only minor dimensional modifications to be used with longer barred handguns such as, but not limited to, those available from the Thompson/Center Arms Company.

The tuning ring 14 has a front section 28 formed with an internally threaded portion 30 to match the external thread 22 on the back end 18 of the muzzle brake 12. The tuning ring 14 is screwed onto the back end 18 of the muzzle brake 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The tuning ring 14 has a shoulder 32 formed on an inside wall surface forward of the internally threaded portion 30. The shoulder 32 allows compression of the damping component 16 (e.g., elastomeric ring or similar spring/damping device) on the muzzle brake 12.

The damping component 16, when provided as a circumferential elastomeric ring or similar spring/damping device, provides axial and torsional loading and damping for the tuner system 10, and in particular provides for a continuous radial and axial load. The continuous radial load prevents the tuning ring 14 from moving during use of the rifle to which it is attached the axial load provides torsional damping. The durometer, spring rates and damping may be adjusted to meet different shooting conditions, and some small degree of experimentation is expected to achieve optimal results.

To obtain optimum results the muzzle brake 12 must be screwed tightly onto the threaded tenon on the end of the barrel. Any part that is loose, for example the muzzle brake 12 or the tuning ring 14, will likely result in inconsistent results. With the AR10 or AR15 platforms, this also applies to the fit between the upper receiver and the lower receiver or any other part in the rifle. Shooters know how a loose scope mount will degrade accuracy. In most other style rifles, the action and the barrel are rigidly connected together which avoids many of these problems.

The mating threads pitch on the muzzle brake 12 and the tuning ring 14 should also be fine enough to allow axial or longitudinal adjustment of the tuning ring 14 relative to the barrel in increments of about 0.0002″ with good repeatability. Typically, 56 TPI threads are preferred, however in some applications 32 threads per inch [TPI] may provide acceptable tuning accuracy.

The tuner system 10 also incorporates a locking feature to keep the tuning ring 14 from moving when the firearm is fired. The locking feature is accomplished with the damping component 16. When the damping component is provided as an elastomeric ring or similar spring/damping element, it may be compressed between the shoulder 24 on the muzzle brake 12 and a shoulder 34 on the tuning ring 14. If necessary, a second elastomeric ring may be included forward of the shoulder 34 to fit between the muzzle brake 12 and the tuning ring 14 to additional provide radial tension. Thus, the damping component 16 provides the dual functions of acting as a damper as well as a locking element.

If the tenon length of the existing muzzle threads on the rifle barrel cause the barrel muzzle to extend into a vented expansion chamber portion 36 of the muzzle brake 12, a jam nut or spacer (not shown) can be used to provide a surface for the muzzle brake 12 to seat against. The muzzle brake 12 needs to be seated tightly against the barrel to obtain optimal performance of the tuner system 10.

The tuner system 10 can be easily moved from one rifle to another rifle, of the same or smaller caliber, provided the second rifle has existing threads at the end of its barrel to accept the tuner system 10.

In tuning the tuner system 10, first a user threads the threaded end portion 20 of, the muzzle brake 12 tightly onto the threaded barrel tenon. The tuning ring 14 is then rotated so that it is firmly tightened against the shoulder 24 of the muzzle brake 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, next the user may use a fine felt tip marker, a fine mechanical pencil or similar marking device to mark a line along a rear edge 38 of the tuning ring 14 on a barrel 40 of the rifle. The user then applies a removable adhesive tuning label 42, which is supplied with the tuner system 10, to an outer surface of the barrel 40. The tuning label 42 may have line markings which represent 0.050 inch increments. Alternatively, a line may be drawn on the muzzle brake 12 along forward edge 44 of the tuning ring 14. The tuning ring 14 also includes a short line marking 46 which may be made during manufacturing of the tuner system 10. An optional method could be etching reference marks in both the tuning ring and muzzle brake portions of the device.

With the marking 46 at a zero line marking 48 on the tuning label 42, the user may then fire a two shot group with the rifle. The user then indexes tuning ring 14 one unit (i.e., one 0.050 inch increment) and then fires two additional shots. This process may be repeated until a desired small group (sweet spot) is obtained.

The user then turns the tuning ring 14 back to the zero line marking 48 and then resets it to the axial position (i.e., the particular 0.050 inch increment setting) that provided the smallest two shot group. This position may be referred to as the “sweet spot”. Preferably, the user then fires an additional two or three groups (two shots each) to confirm that the sweet spot is providing the minimum group size.

A resultant tuning plot that is created when turning the tuner system 10 on a Modern Sporting Rifle is shown in graph 50 of FIG. 3. Dashed line 38 is a line representing the rear edge of the tuning ring 14 at its initial position to start the tuning process. Numbers along the X axis represent increments (i.e., 0.050 inch increments) on the tuning label 42. So the number “2” on the X axis represents the second marking line on one side of the zero line marking 48 on the tuning label 42. The Y axis numbers represent the group size (i.e., group diameter). In this example it can be seen that optimal accuracy was obtained at the “2” position, which is the second marking line on one side of the zero line marking 48 or 0.100 inch travel on the tuning label.

To further refine the tuning, additional two shot groups may be fired with tuning ring 14 settings near the sweet spot, i.e., at 1.5 and 2.5 marks , (i.e., at +/−0.025 inch tuning label increments) from the zero line marking 48. When the optimal setting is determined, the user may then then record the optimal setting, for example on a computer, smartphone, notepad, etc. This allows the user to quickly re-calibrate the tuner system 10 if it is removed from one rifle for use on a different rifle, and then reattached to the first rifle.

The tuner system 10 is highly effective in counteracting several distinct types of errors that can affect the accuracy of the Modern Sporting Rifle. One specific type of error is caused by barrel vibration which causes the bullet to be displaced from its intended path. Vibrational barrel error is caused by at least four significant vibrational modes: bending vibrations, torsional vibrations, radial vibration and longitudinal vibration. Bending vibrations may involve both aiming error and muzzle flip. With aiming error, the barrel bends about the nodal point closest to the barrel muzzle causing aiming error. This is shown in the diagram of FIG. 4. The nodal point can be calculated knowing the barrel vibrating frequency (Hz), the barrel time for the bullet to exit the barrel (milliseconds) and the barrel length (inches). By changing the barrel frequency, the tuner system 10 moves this nodal point, changing the distance from the nodal point to the muzzle which changes the aiming error. A barrel bends in a shape shown in FIG. 4. The only point which the barrel is not bending is at the nodal points where the bending motion crosses the center line of the barrel. If the nodal point is at the muzzle there is no aiming error. The further the nodal point is from the muzzle the greater the aiming error. For a given barrel, the higher the frequency, the closer the nodal point will be to the muzzle. The short barrel AR rifle will have frequencies about twice that of the longer barrel on a typical bolt action rifle.

Muzzle flip is the other cause of bullet error. When muzzle flip occurs the muzzle is moving radially at some frequency causing a radial velocity and acceleration which has the effect of throwing the bullet as it leaves the muzzle. For optimum precision the bullet must leave the muzzle at a point where the periodic motion of the barrel has momentarily stopped to change direction. The distance between when the barrel motion changes direction and the next time it changes direction it can be as little as 0.002 inches of barrel length. It is for this reason that very small changes in the axial position of the tuning ring 14 are required for optimum tuning.

Torsional vibration is the reaction of the barrel to the bullet twisting down the barrel, due the rifling twist, as it moves towards the muzzle. This causes a torsional motion, moment and vibration in the barrel.

Radial vibration is caused by the passage of the bullet and related pressure moving down the barrel, which causes the bore of the barrel to move, expand and contract in a periodic motion, as the bullet moves down the barrel towards the muzzle. When the bore diameter is a minimum it compresses the bullet diameter. If the bullet leaves the muzzle at any time when the muzzle is not at its minimum, the bullet may not fly true with the muzzle, thus causing error. Chris Long has described these phenomena in detail in articles on Optimum Barrel Time. For a constant load and barrel time, the error from radial vibration should be constant and will not influence barrel tuning.

Longitudinal vibration is when, as the bullet is forced down the barrel, it causes the barrel to stretch and contract causing longitudinal vibrations. This is another constant and should that will not influence barrel tuning.

The net barrel frequency is the resultant of these many frequencies (20 or more frequencies) that are created as the rifle is fired.

Experimental data has shown that the size and location of two shot groups changes with the location of the tuning ring 14 of the tuner system 10. As the tuning ring 14 is turned (moved fore and aft) the group size changes in a generally sinusoidal fashion going from small to large and back to small. These small groups may be referred to as the “sweet spots”. See FIG. 3. The direction of each shot, relative to the point of aim, changes its angular and distance (polar) relationship to the point of aim. One can think of this as a rotating polar vector where direction and magnitude change with the location of the tuning ring 14. This is illustrated in the plots shown in FIG. 5 of two shot groups. Note that at a zero tuning ring 14 setting the barrel is not in tune and the direction and magnitude of the bullet impact is inconsistent. As the tuning ring 14 adjustments move closer to the sweet spot at the “2” setting, the direction and magnitude of the bullet impacts become closer resulting in a smaller group. As the tuning ring 14 is further moved, the direction and magnitudes no longer are close until another sweet spot is reached at position “5”. FIG. 3 shows the results of these changes in graphical form.

Measurement of the tuner system 10 performance is complicated by the many variables that influence the group size. If one were to calculate the total error the equation would look like:

Total Error=√A2+B2+C2+D2+E2+F2+G2+H2

-   -   Where:     -   A=The shooters skill     -   B=The ambient conditions like wind, mirage and temperature     -   C=The distance to the target     -   D=The way the rifle is supported on the bench     -   E=The sights or scope magnification     -   F=The rifle trigger     -   E=The quality of the rifle, factory or custom     -   F=The type and variability of the cartridge loads     -   G=The variability of the rifle components in reacting to the         rifle firing     -   H=The changes in the tuning ring location

In order to minimize the inaccuracies in the group data, caused by all the above factors, a statistical approach to the data may be used. In this case multiple (e.g., six) two shot groups were shot at each tuning ring 14 setting and the standard deviation and confidence intervals were calculated and used to evaluate the data. Two shot groups are chosen because a group can never get smaller than the first two shots. Multiple two shot groups provide data with a higher confidence interval than a few groups with more shots in each group. Again, what is being done here is measuring the effect of the tuning ring 14 axial position change on group size, not shooting a competition target. A properly tuned rifle barrel with two shot groups will also be tuned for groups shooting more shots.

The center of gravity (CG) of the tuner system 10 is near the barrel muzzle. This a unique and important detail to assure easy and accurate tuning of system. Conventional thinking has been that the tuner and tuning ring weight are the important parameters and should be forward of the muzzle. It is felt by some that more weight will aid in tuning. The reason for this thinking is that the additional mass forward of the muzzle will add inertia and slow down the radial motion and reduce the amplitude of the motion. While this may be true, the location of the additional weight forward of the muzzle also changes the distance from the nodal point to the muzzle, thereby increasing aiming error. Experimental data with the tuner system 10 has shown that it is the location of the weight, not the amount of the weight that is important. This is because the precision adjustment abilities of the tuner system 10 allow for the bullet timing to match the peak of the motion curve when the radial acceleration is near or at zero, thereby eliminating the radial deflection caused by the radial acceleration. With the center of gravity over the muzzle, only the aiming error is left, and it is minimized by keeping the nodal distance from the muzzle as short as possible. The location of the center of gravity of the tuner system 10 is critical to optimum tuning of the barrel with which the system is being used. If the center of gravity is too far forward of the muzzle, the tuning ring 14 needs to be moved further aft to find a new sweet spot. Frequently the additional sweet spots provide larger groups. The best sweet spot is frequently found within ±0.0002″ of the ideal tuning ring 14 axial position.

Because weight is less important than center of gravity location, materials other than stainless steel can be considered for the tuner system 10. Stainless steel has been the typical material used for tuner systems but other, lighter, materials can be used successfully. For example, aluminum offers about a 40% weight reduction over stainless steel. For many applications tuner weight is a very important consideration. The length of the barrel tenon can also be used to locate the center of gravity near the muzzle. When the BTS (without muzzle brake) version is used in series with a silencer (sound suppressor) or individual flash suppressor or muzzle brake, a longer barrel tenon allows for locating the center of gravity of the new system near the muzzle. See FIG. 10.

As noted above, the functions of the compressed damping component (e.g., elastomeric ring or similar spring/damping device) is to provide fore and aft (axial) and torsional loading and damping on the tuning ring 14 threads 30, thereby improving repeatability while at the same time providing radial forces to prevent the tuning ring 14 from moving (i.e., rotating) after adjustment. These functions can also be provided individually such as by using a wave washer encapsulated in an elastomeric material to provide the axial load and damping, or via an elastomeric component molded onto the muzzle brake 12 or the tuning ring 14 to provide this function. These techniques could provide a range of spring rates and damping not available with traditional O-rings. The radial loading could be provided by a second O-ring forward of the shoulder 34 or by elastomeric inserts into the muzzle brake 12 or the tuning ring 14, similar to those used in locking nuts.

By axially moving (i.e., adjusting) the tuning ring 14 a small controlled axial distance, the natural frequencies of all the individual component frequencies that create the resultant barrel harmonics are changed. Each has separate forcing functions that influence the individual component frequencies that create the resultant barrel harmonics. Changes in the amplitude and periods of these frequencies result in changes in the resultant barrel harmonics. This can either increase or decrease the amplitude and period of the resultant barrel harmonics, and thereby change the rifle accuracy. This is somewhat like the process used in noise canceling headphones.

Although periodic (see FIG. 3,) sweet spots (smaller groups) will be observed when turning the tuning ring 14, optimum tuning requires very small axial motion on the order of preferably about 0.0002″ increments about these sweet spots.

The axial location of the tuning ring 14 relative to the barrel muzzle and its mass influence all the frequencies of the barrel system. The simple equation for the natural frequency is shown in FIG. 6. The L in the equation is the (barrel length+the distance to the center of gravity of the tuner mass). Experimental data indicates that this distance is more critical to optimum tuning than the mass of the tuner. Experimental data has shown that very small changes in L cause large changes in group size. For example, adding a change of 0.0005″ to a 26″ barrel and cubing that result makes an insignificant change in the natural frequency. Since aiming error is the result of the nodal point location and the nodal point location is a function of the barrel resultant frequency, it can be concluded that aiming error is not significant in the barrel tuning function since it does not change with the small changes of the tuning ring 14 motion. That leaves muzzle flip as the remaining source of error due to barrel bending. It is the muzzle flip that accounts for most of the bullet vector magnitude in the bullets impact at a distance from the aiming point. Any remaining error is due to radial and/or longitudinal vibration. The direction of the bullet vector is the result of the barrel torsional vibration. When the barrel is brought into tune the bullet vectors become similar, resulting in small distances between the bullet impacts (i.e., small groups). It is the function of the tuner system 10 to time and damp the vibrations to reach this goal.

Another embodiment of a tuner system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure is a bench rest version (BTS) shown in FIG. 7. With tuner system 100, a tuning ring 114 is threadably secured to a muzzle brake 112 section in a manner identical to that described for the tuner system 10, but the vented sections of the muzzle brake section are removed. This provides the tuning ability to significantly increase accuracy but not the recoil reduction and associated noise that is derived from the muzzle brake. This is important for those using the system in shooting competitions where the use of muzzle brakes is prohibited. By using a long tenon to allow this system 100 to screw over the barrel, additional devices (such as a silencer or muzzle brake) may be added in front of the tuner system 10, thus allowing the tuner system 10 to be used to tune the resultant system. See FIG. 10.

FIG. 8 shows a tuner system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure in which a tuning ring 214 is threadably secured to a flash suppressor 212. In this embodiment the flash suppressor 212 takes the place of the muzzle brake 12 of the tuner system 10. The tuning ring 214 is secured by a threaded attachment to the flash suppressor 212 identical to that described for the tuning ring 14/muzzle brake 12 of the tuner system 10. The flash suppressor 212 threads onto a threaded tenon at an end of the barrel just like that described for the tuner system 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a tuner system 300 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure that provides for the attachment of a sound suppressor 350 (FIG. 10) (silencer) or other devices. Tuner system 300 similarly includes a tuning ring 314 which is threadably coupled to muzzle component 312. The threaded coupling between the tuning ring 314 and the muzzle component is identical to that described for the tuning ring 14 and the muzzle brake 12. In this example the muzzle component 312 threads onto a threaded tenon at the end of the barrel just like that described for the tuner system 10. This version is intended for those who use a sound suppressor, other muzzle brakes or flash suppressors, and who want to also improve their accuracy.

While various embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications or variations which might be made without departing from the present disclosure. The examples illustrate the various embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpreted liberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of the pertinent prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tuner system for use with a threaded muzzle end portion of a rifle barrel, the system comprising: a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion; a muzzle component having a second threaded wall portion for engaging with the first threaded wall portion and enabling adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel; the muzzle component having a third threaded portion for threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end portion of the rifle; and a damping component interposed between the tuning ring and the muzzle component, and at least partially circumscribing the muzzle end of the barrel.
 2. The tuner system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle component comprises a muzzle brake.
 3. The tuner system of claim 1, wherein the damping component comprises an elastomeric ring and assists in damping vibration of the barrel during firing of the rifle.
 4. The tuner system of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric ring is captured between portions of the tuning ring and the muzzle component to help hold the tuner ring at a set axial position relative to the muzzle component.
 5. The tuner system of claim 4, wherein the tuning ring includes a first shoulder and the muzzle component includes a second shoulder, and wherein the elastomeric ring is compressed between the first and second shoulders to provide friction to help prevent rotational movement of the tuning ring during use of the tuner system on the rifle.
 6. The tuner system of claim 5, wherein the first shoulder is formed on an inside wall surface of the tuning ring.
 7. The tuner system of claim 6, wherein the second shoulder is formed on an exterior wall surface of the muzzle component.
 8. The tuner system of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric ring comprises an elastomeric 0-ring.
 9. The tuner system of claim 1, further comprising a label having markings thereon representative of incremental axial position changes, and adapted to be secured to the barrel adjacent the tuning ring for assisting a user in tuning the tuning system to optimize shot groupings from the rifle.
 10. The tuner system of claim 9, further comprising at least one of following: the tuning ring includes a marking thereon for denoting a rotational position of the tuning ring relative to the label; or both the tuning ring and the muzzle component include etching marks to provide reference marks for tuning.
 11. The tuner system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle component comprises a flash suppressor.
 12. The tuner system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle component includes a portion for enabling a threaded coupling to an external component.
 13. The tuner system of claim 12, wherein the portion is formed by a fourth threaded portion, and wherein the fourth threaded portion is configured to engage with a threaded section of at least one of a sound suppressor or a flash suppressor.
 14. A tuner system for use with a threaded muzzle end portion of a rifle barrel, the system comprising: a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion and a first shoulder portion; a muzzle component having a second threaded wall portion for engaging with the first threaded wall portion and enabling adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel; the muzzle component having a third threaded portion for threadably engaging the threaded muzzle end portion of the rifle; the muzzle component having a second shoulder portion; and an elastomeric ring damping component interposed between the first and second shoulder portions and fully circumscribing the muzzle end of the barrel, for assisting in holding the tuning ring stationary during use of the rifle and damping barrel vibration during firing of the rifle.
 15. The tuner system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle component includes a groove adjacent the second shoulder portion for receiving a portion of the elastomeric ring.
 16. The tuner system of claim 14, further comprising a label configured to be adhesively secured to an outer surface of the barrel adjacent to the tuning ring, the label including markings thereon indicating incremental rotational positions of the tuning ring that correspond to incremental axial distance movements of the tuning ring, to aid a user in tuning the tuner system; and wherein the tuning ring includes a marking thereon for indicating a rotational position of the tuning ring relative to a zero line marking on the label.
 17. The tuner system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle component forms a muzzle brake.
 18. The tuner system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle component forms a flash suppressor.
 19. The tuner system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle component includes a fourth threaded portion for threadably receiving at least one of a sound suppressor or a flash suppressor.
 20. A method for tuning a rifle to enhance accuracy of shot groups fired from the rifle, the rifle having a barrel with a threaded muzzle end, the method comprising: providing a tuning ring having a first threaded wall portion; threadably securing a second threaded wall portion of a muzzle component to the first threaded wall portion to enable adjustable axial positioning of the tuning ring relative to a muzzle end of the barrel; using a third threaded portion of the muzzle component to threadably engage the threaded muzzle end of the barrel of the rifle; and using a damping component disposed between the tuning ring and the muzzle component, and at least partially circumscribing the muzzle end of the barrel, to assist in holding the tuning ring stationary during operation of the rifle and damping vibration of the barrel during firing of the rifle. 